UnCommon Modern: A Pennsylvania Glossary of Midcentury Architecture: The State Museum of Pennsylvania presents “UnCommon Modern: A Pennsylvania Glossary of Midcentury Architecture,” a new photography exhibit. This unique exhibit features color documentary photographs taken by Betsy Manning, a Philadelphia-area photojournalist. Each photograph depicts buildings and designs from across the commonwealth that reflect Midcentury Modern influences.

Manning and “UnCommon Modern” exhibit curator William Whitaker of The Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia will be on hand to meet visitors and tour the show at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. Admission to the museum and the event will be free and open to the public. The exhibit will run from Nov. 2 through April 26, 2015.

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society: 35th Annual International Juried Exhibition: Come explore the 35th anniversary edition of The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition. Pieces are selected from artists in Pennsylvania and around the country. The society, a non-profit association founded in 1979 in a back room of the State Museum, is dedicated to encouraging, promoting and advancing water color with artists and the public. The exhibition will run from Nov. 8 through Feb. 8.

Art and Barriers: The Susquehanna Art Museum presents “Art and Barriers” in the DOSHI Gallery at The State Museum through Dec. 7. Artists have long been at the forefront of social change through revolutionary and, at times, subversive means of transcending both physical and hidden boundaries. Contemporary art often acts as a mirror for barriers within all societies, challenging viewers to confront oppressive social, political, or cultural divisions. Can art be the catalyst to break down these confines? “Art & Barriers” pays homage to all artists who daily break through limitations of any kind.

A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson: This exhibit features bird prints and first edition volumes of the 200 year-old “American Ornithology” series by Wilson, who is considered the father of American ornithology. Also featured are a number of bird specimens from the museum’s Botany and Zoology collections, some of which date to the late 19th century. The specimens underscore the museum’s historic and continuing role in the study of Pennsylvania’s flora and fauna. This exhibit runs through March 15, 2015 and is included with general admission to the museum.

3rd in the Burg – Hidden Treasures Scavenger Hunt 3: Join the Friends of the State Museum from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 for a fun, modern-day treasure hunt of pieces rarely seen on display. The museum’s extensive collection represents Pennsylvania’s arts, culture, history, sciences, business and agricultural history. The scavenger hunt will guide guests through the museum with special clues, allowing them to discover some of our state’s hidden treasures. Enjoy wine, beer and heavy hors d’oeuvres reception and the scavenger hunt. Registration fees will apply. Tickets are $30 per person/$55 per couple. Purchase tickets online at ShopPAHeritage.com. For more information on the event and tickets, call 717-787-2407.

Learn @ Lunchtime: On Friday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., join the museum for a sneak peek at the 35th anniversary of The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition. Karen Frattali, vice president of the society, will be the guest speaker for Learn@Lunchtime. Ms. Frattali will be doing a watercolor demonstration from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Village Square. Admission to the museum is free during the hours of the event only.

The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering two shows through Nov. 30:

“We Are Aliens” (Pre-k to grade 2): Narrated by Ruppert Grint, learn the answers to questions such as “What does it take to support life?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” Explore the extreme environments here on Earth that support life. Take a close-up look at the research happening on Mars and throughout the solar system. Discover how astronomers are discovering exo-planets and study their environments. Join the quest to understand our galactic community.

11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday

“Back to the Moon for Good” (grade 4 and up): Narrated by Tim Allen, immerse yourself in a race to return to the Moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings. See how a competition among privately funded, international teams is ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. Learn about the moon’s resources and discover what could be in store for humanity’s future on Earth’s only natural satellite. Back to the Moon for Good presents the Google Lunar XPRIZE, and personal stories of competition and collaboration.

12 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

For the Thanksgiving Holiday on Black Friday, Nov. 28, the planetarium will offer additional shows, We Are Aliens at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Back to the Moon for Good noon and 2 p.m. Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission; free to State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Members.